Philosophy of Science 72 (5):1076-1087 (2005)
Abstract |
Against the well-known objection that in the history of science there are many theories that are successful but false, Psillos offers a three-pronged defense of scientific realism as the best explanation for the success of science. Focusing on these, I criticize Psillos’ defense, arguing that each prong is weakened when we recognize that according to realist rebuttals of the underdetermination argument and versions of empiricism, realists are committed to accounting for the explanatory success of theories, not their mere empirical adequacy or instrumental reliability. I conclude by indicating how ‘explanationist’ realism might be recast to accommodate my arguments
|
Keywords | Realism Philosophy of Science Explanation |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
Reprint years | 2005 |
DOI | 10.1086/508958 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
No references found.
Citations of this work BETA
Explanation and Explanationism in Science and Metaphysics.Juha Saatsi - forthcoming - In Matthew Slater & Zanja Yudell (eds.), Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Science: New Essays. Oxford University Press.
Reconstructing Scientific Realism to Rebut the Pessimistic Meta‐Induction.Gerald Doppelt - 2007 - Philosophy of Science 74 (1):96-118.
How to Split a Theory: Defending Selective Realism and Convergence Without Proximity.David Harker - 2013 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 64 (1):79-106.
View all 13 citations / Add more citations
Similar books and articles
From Standard Scientific Realism and Structural Realism to Best Current Theory Realism.Gerald D. Doppelt - 2011 - Journal for General Philosophy of Science / Zeitschrift für Allgemeine Wissenschaftstheorie 42 (2):295-316.
Scientific Prediction and the Underdetermination of Scientific Theory Building.Richard Dawid - unknown
The Historical Objection to Scientific Realism.Jarrett Leplin - 1982 - PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1982:88 - 97.
Antirealist Explanations of the Success of Science.Andre Kukla - 1996 - Philosophy of Science 63 (3):305.
Why the Ultimate Argument for Scientific Realism Ultimately Fails.Moti Mizrahi - 2012 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 43 (1):132-138.
Scientific Realism and the Indispensability Argument for Mathematical Realism: A Marriage Made in Hell.Jacob Busch - 2011 - International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 25 (4):307-325.
Reconstructing Scientific Realism to Rebut the Pessimistic Meta‐Induction.Gerald Doppelt - 2007 - Philosophy of Science 74 (1):96-118.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2009-01-28
Total views
220 ( #51,378 of 2,505,145 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
4 ( #170,004 of 2,505,145 )
2009-01-28
Total views
220 ( #51,378 of 2,505,145 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
4 ( #170,004 of 2,505,145 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads